Managing the Time You Have – Part 1: Laundry and Audiobooks

No one really has time for time management. However, if you don’t find the time to manage your time, you will waste your time and you can never recoup your time and you don’t get any extra time, so you better figure out a way to be productive in the time you have. What a way to start an article with a run-on sentence!

Many of us feel like we have encountered one big run-on sentence when we try to figure out how to better manage our time. While there are many programs out there designed to help us manage our time, the truth of the matter is; they are time-consuming. We will spend the money on the programs because, let’s face it, you can always make more money. However, you can never make more time.

So, in this blog series, I will share with you some of the tips that I use to manage my most precious asset; time.

Laundry and Audiobooks

As a business owner and coach, it is important for me to stay informed and to constantly educate myself. Unfortunately, I do not always have the time to sit down and read some of the books that I feel are critical to my continuing education. So, I have started using audio books to help bridge the gap.

I have had an account with Audible.com for years and I absolutely love it. I can download a new book every month for less than $15 a month. With all of the great apps out there, I can listen to it on my iPhone, iPad and computer.

When I had a traditional job, I found listening to audiobooks easy because I could listen to them on my commute. Now that I work at home, I spend very little time in the car. So, I had to get creative and find a time that I could listen to my books without taking time away from my business and family. My answer; laundry!

Yes, laundry became my saving grace when it came to expanding my horizons. I listen to my audiobooks while folding my laundry. With a family of 5, I fold at least 8 loads of laundry a week. Instead of watching television during that time, I decided to listen to an audiobook.

It is amazing how productive this typical “non-thinking” time has become since I now use it for my reading time. I find that some books hold my interest a little more than others. I have even decided to purchase the Kindle version of some books after listening to them on audio.

Listening to audiobooks, while folding laundry, has helped me tremendously. Not only do I get to hear great content and expand my horizons, I don’t dread folding clothes. I even look forward to it. That’s a miracle in itself.